Detailed Assessment of Alternatives

Framework for Dredged Material Management

May 2004

3.5 Detailed Assessment of Alternatives

For purposes of determining environmental acceptability, the detailed assessment

of alternatives should include the following:

Evaluation of the adequacy and timeliness of existing data.

Evaluation of the physical characteristics of the sediment.

Initial evaluation of sediment contamination.

Performing appropriate testing and assessments (to include required CWA or

MPRSA testing).

Evaluation of management options or control measures.

Prior to conducting a detailed analysis of alternatives, conducting appropriate

coordination between USACE, USEPA, and other agencies as appropriate is critical to

ensure that any required sampling, testing, and evaluations are satisfactorily conducted.

Procedures for conducting the detailed evaluation of alternatives are described in

the following paragraphs. Since the procedures for conducting detailed evaluations for

open-water disposal, confined disposal, and beneficial use alternatives differ, additional

details are presented in Chapters 4, 5, and 6, respectively. A wide variety of technical

guidance documents are available and are referenced as appropriate in Chapters 4, 5, and

6. Computer-assisted management tools are also available for conducting many of the

detailed assessments, which may be required (Schroeder et al. 2004).

In addition to those considerations for environmental acceptability, a detailed

assessment of alternatives includes a comparative review of cost, technical feasibility,

and other factors, as appropriate. Even though these additional considerations would

normally be assessed as a part of the NEPA process for the project, they are beyond the

scope of this document.

3.5.1 Adequacy and Timeliness of Data

Projects for which all reasonable alternatives have been identified and adequately

evaluated still must be assessed in light of the CWA or MPRSA evaluation requirements.

For those projects in the operations and maintenance or permit renewal category for

which conditions have not changed, a preliminary assessment is made to determine the

adequacy and relevance of previous information for the continuance of the

dredging/disposal activities. If the existing data are sufficient to determine compliance

with CWA or MPRSA, no additional data are required prior to preparation of the CWA

or MPRSA evaluation and coordination of the Public Notice (see paragraph 3.6). For

new-work Federal navigation projects, new permit applications, or projects for which

information is insufficient, additional assessment following the framework as described

here and in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are required to determine the environmentally acceptable

alternative(s).